Cage Warriors 54 Opening Betting Odds May 2, 2013

The UK’s top promotion, Cage Warriors, is going to be putting on cards in back-to-back weekends, which coincides perfectly with the increasingly rare gap between UFC events through early May. This weekend, the Cage Warriors Middleweight Title will be on the line, as Jesse Taylor takes on John Phillips.

British prospects will also be on display, as Danny Roberts goes up against veteran Diego Gonzalez in the Welterweight division, while Mark Glover and Lewis Long square off at Lightweight.

Today, MMA oddsmaker Nick Kalikas opened the lines for Cage Warriors 54 at 5Dimes Sportsbook. Take a look:

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Cage Warriors Middleweight Title

Jesse Taylor -350 John Phillips +250

Danny Roberts -315 Diego Gonzalez +235

Lewis Long -125 Mark Glover -115

Ivan Buchinger -210 Jason Ball +160

Brett Johns -140 James McAllister +100

Martin McDonough -280 Mark Platts +200

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Brad’s Analysis: Both Taylor and Roberts have been made relatively large favorites in the main and co-main event, and with good reason. Taylor seems to be a cut above most of the regional talent in the UK, as evidenced by his list of losses coming to fighters like Mamed Khalidov, Hector Lombard, Thales Leites and Luke Rockhold. Phillips is a dangerous striker, but he likely does not have the wrestling to keep up with Taylor.

Roberts in the co-main event gives even more reason for confidence, as he has looked good in his young career and is facing a fighter in Diego Gonzalez who is coming up in weight despite going 2-4 in his last six. Gonzalez relies on his ground game to win him fights, but against a much larger, more physical fighter in Roberts it will be difficult to initiate his strength.

Brad began following MMA closely in 2004, and started writing about the sport in 2008. Since then he has contributed to websites like Sportsnet.ca, but now primarily writes and edits for MMAOddsbreaker.com. You can also follow Brad’s personal MMA bets on his website.